The Bill of Rights is the first ten Amendments to the Constitution of the United States. It spells out Americans’ rights in relation to their government. It guarantees civil rights and liberties to the individual—like freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion.

The Bill of Rights also sets rules for due process of law and reserves all powers not delegated to the federal government to the people or to the states. And it specifies that “the enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”

In West Virginia, as in all states, the Bill of Rights provides the foundational civil liberties and rights that protect individuals from government overreach. These first ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution guarantee freedoms such as speech, press, and religion, and ensure due process of law. The Tenth Amendment, in particular, reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people, which underpins the principle of federalism that is central to the state-federal relationship. West Virginia's own constitution and laws are required to be consistent with the protections afforded by the Bill of Rights, and any state legislation or action that infringes upon these federally guaranteed rights can be subject to legal challenge and be overturned. It is important for residents of West Virginia to understand that these rights are upheld in both federal and state courts, and any concerns about violations of these rights can be addressed with the assistance of an attorney who is knowledgeable in constitutional law.